Looking for a cool and creamy sauce with big herb flavor? This Creamy Herbed Skyr Sauce is just the thing. Icelandic skyr (substitute Greek yogurt if you like) is mixed with plenty of chopped fresh dill and chives, minced garlic and just a hint of cumin and cayenne pepper for spice.
This versatile sauce comes together in just 5 minutes and is an excellent one to have in your kitchen repertoire. Easy and packed with garlic and herb flavor, it goes nicely with all manner of vegetables, roasted or grilled chicken and makes a lovely sauce for your lunchtime smørrebrød. Or dollop it on top of cooked lentils, chickpeas or whole grains. So many delicious options!
Why This Recipe Works
This Creamy Herbed Skyr Sauce is:
- The perfect balance of skyr (yogurt), garlic, fresh herbs and spices.
- SO simple....stir it all together and it's done!
- Versatile and customizable depending on the season.
The Ingredients
- Skyr or Greek Yogurt. If you are unfamiliar with skyr, read the FAQ section below to learn more about this yogurt-like Nordic dairy product. It serves as the creamy base for this simple sauce.
- Milk. Because we are starting with thick and creamy skyr, milk provides the right amount of liquid to achieve a sauce-like consistency.
- Cumin and Cayenne Pepper. These dried spices bring in a warm, earthy and subtly spicy taste.
- Minced Garlic, Chives and Dill. These ingredients provide aromatic and fresh herb flavor.
- Extra-Virgin Olive Oil. Just a couple of teaspoons of olive oil add fruity richness and a silky mouthfeel to the final product.
How To Make This Recipe
Begin by mincing the garlic and chopping the chives and dill. Transfer all the ingredients except the salt to a bowl and whisk together. Season to taste with salt. If you have the time, let the sauce sit for 20-30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Enjoy!
Expert Tips
- For best results, seek out a full fat skyr or greek yogurt as these products have better flavor and texture.
- If you want a thicker sauce, omit or decrease the amount of milk.
- Feel free to vary the fresh herbs in this recipe! Chives and dill are very nice, especially for spring and early summer, but basil, cilantro, tarragon and/or parsley would all be nice here as well.
FAQs
Skyr (pronounced skeer) is a dairy product that has been an important part of Icelandic food culture for over a thousand years. Here in the United States, it is often marketed as the Nordic answer to Greek yogurt. In Iceland, however, skyr as technically considered a fresh cheese, something like quark, because of the addition of rennet in the recipe. Most commercial brands no longer use rennet to make skyr, just particular strains of probiotics that are unique to the product, and different from those used to make yogurt. Skyr is also strained, much like Greek yogurt is, which helps give it a thick, creamy texture and high protein content. It takes 4 cups of milk to make 1 cup of skyr.
Many grocery stories nationwide carry skyr in the dairy section right next to the yogurt. Two excellent brands to look for are Icelandic Provisions and Siggi's.
Yes, absolutely. If you are using regular plain yogurt, omit the milk as it is not as thick in texture to begin with.
It will keep for a couple of days tightly covered in the refrigerator.
Yes! Seek out a plain vegan yogurt and omit the milk.
How To Enjoy This Sauce
As I mentioned above, this Creamy Herbed Skyr Sauce is delicious with just about any vegetable, from roasted beets to garden tomatoes. It makes a nice companion to soft or hard boiled eggs, cooked grains and legumes, especially lentils. And it is excellent served next to grilled or roasted chicken. Check out these True North Kitchen recipes for specific recipes that call for this sauce:
Recipe
Creamy Herbed Skyr Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 1 cup plain whole milk skyr or Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons whole milk
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 3 tablespoons chopped dill
- 3 tablespoons chopped chives
- 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
- Coarse salt
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl. Season with salt to taste. Cover and store in the refrigerator until you are ready to use, preferably at least an hour or so to allow the flavors to marry.
- The sauce can be stored for up to three days refrigerated.
Notes
Nutrition
If you loved this recipe, give it a star review! Also, snap a picture of whatever it is that you are enjoying with this Creamy Herbed Skyr Sauce and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #truenorthkitchen and tagging me @true_north_kitchen.
Kristi Bissell says
This delicious skyr/yogurt based sauce is both nourishing and delicious! I love the chopped fresh herbs and the subtle hit of cumin and cayenne pepper. Seriously good on just about anything!
Jo says
Can you freeze this recipe?
Kristi says
This sauce doesn't freeze well, unfortunately. You can always make a half recipe if you think there will be too much leftover for your needs. Thanks for your question!
Kristi